Draining gravel driveway
Discussion
With all the rain we have had over winter, I've had an issue with poor drainage of a bit of my driveway (about the size of two cars) which has turned it into a muddy shallow pond.
I'd like to improve the drainage, so my current plan is to dig a trench about 12" deep and lining it with a sheet of weed control fabric, put a couple of inches of pea gravel in the bottom of it, then put some 4" drain pipe drilled with some 10mm holes on top of it. Another layer of weed control fabric over the top and then cover with 6-7" of gravel.
The pipe will head off and drain into a lower bit of garden (I'll stick some mesh over the end to stop critters wandering in)
Sound like it will work or is there a better method?
I'd like to improve the drainage, so my current plan is to dig a trench about 12" deep and lining it with a sheet of weed control fabric, put a couple of inches of pea gravel in the bottom of it, then put some 4" drain pipe drilled with some 10mm holes on top of it. Another layer of weed control fabric over the top and then cover with 6-7" of gravel.
The pipe will head off and drain into a lower bit of garden (I'll stick some mesh over the end to stop critters wandering in)
Sound like it will work or is there a better method?
Cow Corner said:
If the pipe is going to be driven over, it’ll need to be protected in some way.
If you’re on clay soil, your solution might not be that effective.
Some paving slabs over the top, then covered with gravel?If you’re on clay soil, your solution might not be that effective.
I am on clay soil, which is why the drainage is poor. but the water should go through the gravel and into the pipe OK as it would never come into contact with the soil, so i'm not sure what you mean
boyse7en said:
With all the rain we have had over winter, I've had an issue with poor drainage of a bit of my driveway (about the size of two cars) which has turned it into a muddy shallow pond.
I'd like to improve the drainage, so my current plan is to dig a trench about 12" deep and lining it with a sheet of weed control fabric, put a couple of inches of pea gravel in the bottom of it, then put some 4" drain pipe drilled with some 10mm holes on top of it. Another layer of weed control fabric over the top and then cover with 6-7" of gravel.
The pipe will head off and drain into a lower bit of garden (I'll stick some mesh over the end to stop critters wandering in)
Sound like it will work or is there a better method?
Top gravel/pebbles should be only few inches deep, anymore and you’ll have ruts, slippage and will struggle getting cars in and out. Cars will literally sink wheels in the gravel when too deep. How about something like self binding gravel as a top layer? I’ve used in the garden for walkways, you lay it with a convex top so water falls away to the verge/edge, looks good to, think country estate I'd like to improve the drainage, so my current plan is to dig a trench about 12" deep and lining it with a sheet of weed control fabric, put a couple of inches of pea gravel in the bottom of it, then put some 4" drain pipe drilled with some 10mm holes on top of it. Another layer of weed control fabric over the top and then cover with 6-7" of gravel.
The pipe will head off and drain into a lower bit of garden (I'll stick some mesh over the end to stop critters wandering in)
Sound like it will work or is there a better method?
Depends on slope and where you need to discharge the water, but I've used a french drain to solve a similar problem. No pipe, just a gravel filled little ditch, probably 200mmX200mm. Too small to cause a problem for a car tyre, but can still shift more than enough water to stop rain accumulating. I can discharge the water straight off the end of the driveway. If I had needed to pipe it somewhere, I wouldn't have used a French drain.
Fastpedeller said:
Weed control fabric is a waste of money - the weeds find their way through and it 'appears' on the surface by working its way upwards in random places after a while as well. A complete waste of time & money.
It's not there to stop weeds, its to stop the holes in the pipe getting clogged up with soil or anythingGassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff